Anyone want to design that business card? Seriously. I can’t seem to figure it out.

My personal and professional lives are barely discernible. The things I do while working are also the interests that fill my Pinterest boards, Instagram images, bookshelves, and webpage bookmarks. I’ve always held jobs related to child-development and education; I’m sure I’ve always known that I wanted a career related to teaching and learning.

My ultimate goal was never to be a traditional classroom teacher (or a traditional anything, for that matter). I possess the spiritual gift of support (verified by numerous surveys, assessments, and testimonials of my nearest and dearest), so I think it makes perfect sense that I’m drawn to projects that support families and educators in their efforts to help children develop a life-long love of learning. Specifically, I:

Lead children and caregivers in yoga/literacy workshops that support adults in their efforts to teach children focus, self-regulation, and recreational reading

Support various non-profits and education institutions in projects related to curriculum writing, assessment development, marketing, grant writing, training, quality enhancement, and professional development

Write poetry and short stories for very young children to encourage early exposure to books and promote family reading experiences

Blog about children’s literature (RIGHT HERE!!!) to share ideas with parents and educators to promote reading in homes and classrooms

Before embarking on my current life as all the things listed on my metaphorical business card, I earned an undergraduate degree in speech communication and went on to earn a certification in non-profit management and governance. My professional experiences included teaching nursery school and preschool, grant-writing, administering early childhood education programs, and assisting organizations in meeting quality standards (like national accreditation and state learning standards). My passion for discovery and lifelong curiosity led me to grad school where I earned my Master’s Degree in curriculum, instruction and children’s literature in 2014. I became a certified child and family yoga instructor in May, 2015.

Enough about me. My husband Chris is my best friend and, fortunately, supports all of my crazy schemes with a shrug of the shoulders and a smile. He is a staunch businessman, but has a beautiful creative eye. He is the imaginative force behind much of what I do and is an amazing amateur photographer.

And our kiddo, Stella…don’t even get me started. At 4 years old she is already so much cooler than I ever was or could hope to be.